A new cross country season gets underway in October. One of those leagues that's returning is the John H Collins Gwent Cross Country League which has been named in memory of John Collins. It has been going strong for numerous years since 1963, attracting athletes - juniors and seniors - from across South Wales and the South West of England.
It is open to those trying cross country for the first time in the novices going through the under 13, under 15, under 17, under 20 and seniors.
The league has visited all corners of South Wales and the South West of England including Pembrey, Cardiff, Bridgend, Pontypool, Bristol, Taunton and Bath just to name a few locations since the start.
For the first time in many years, the Gwent League will begin away from the Welsh capital in October. It will start here in West Wales at Pembrey Country Park, near Llanelli which Carmarthen Harriers will be hosting on Saturday 14th October. Incorporating the West Wales Cross Country Championships 2023 (TBC). Medals will be awarded to the first three athletes in the junior, senior and master age groups from the region.
The West Wales junior, senior & masters teams to represent the West region in the joint Welsh Inter Regional and Welsh Inter Schools Cross Country Championships at Newtown on Saturday 18th November, will be selected using the results of the Gwent League on Saturday 14th October.
This year's British Athletics Cardiff Cross Challenge 2023 incorporating the second fixture of the league, has been moved to November, and will be held at the familiar venue of Llandaff Fields in Cardiff on Saturday 11th November.
December's event at the half way mark will head across the border to Blaise Castle in Bristol on the first Saturday (2nd December).
Fixtures four and five after Christmas have yet to be officially confirmed for February and March at the time of writing.
2023/2024 LEAGUE DATES:
SATURDAY / DYDD SADWRN 14.10.23 - Pembrey Country Park, Llanelli (incorporating West Wales Cross Country Championships)
SATURDAY / DYDD SADWRN 11.11.23 - Llandaff Fields, Cardiff (incorporating British Athletics Cardiff Cross Challenge)
SATURDAY / DYDD SADWRN 02.12.23 - Blaise Castle, Bristol
10.02.24 - 11.02.24 - (TBC)
02.03.24 - 03.03.24 - (TBC)
EVENT WEBSITE / GWEFAN Y DIGWYDDIAD: https://www.gwent-league.org.uk/
